By Bright Ntramah
President Akufo-Addo, says the unanimous decision taken by the Supreme Court, in its ruling on the Voting rights of Deputy Speakers March 9, 2022 should put the matter to rest.
According to President Akufo-Addo, he was surprised by the furore that was generated on whether or not Deputy-Speakers of Parliament could vote, once they were presiding in the Chamber. A Private Legal Practitioner and Law Lecturer, Justice Abdulai filed a suit invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to interpret Articles 102 and 104 of the 1992 Constitution.
He argued that Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Wusu’s action of counting himself for the purposes of quorum, was unconstitutional. Speaking to Journalists on the sideline of Dubai Expo 2020, the President mounted a spirited defence, for the Supreme Court’s decision, saying that Articles 102 and 104 of the 1992 Constitution make it absolutely clear that the Deputy Speakers, when presiding, have the right to participate in the vote of Parliament. President Akufo-Addo said the Speaker of Parliament is not a Member of the House, that is why he doesn’t have the right to vote.
He noted that the Speaker really ought not to participate in the deliberations of the House, because his duty as a referee is to make sure that the debate is conducted properly, and the orders of the House are complied with. This is the first time President Akufo-Addo has commented on Constitutional Matters as the President of the Republic.
The President said the decision of the Supreme Court on the voting rights of Deputy Speakers cannot amount to judicial interference in the work of Parliament. He said speculations that Parliament is beyond the scrutiny of the Supreme Court is to suggest that Parliament is a law unto itself.
Below is the video;
https://youtu.be/qU8hWWsDQKU
